The Chelmsford Library was recognized by EBSCO Publishing with the Library Customer Success Award.

EBSCO serves many libraries across the country, and has been compiling "success stories" of libraries performing and outstanding role in the field. In this case, Chelmsford won the award for Library Advocacy, for sharing the Library Use Value Calculator with other libraries.

The calculator was adopted for our website based on an idea from the Massachusetts Library Association. It is a tool that easily lets library patrons calculate the value of their library use - in other words, how much they would have to pay retail for the services they enjoy through the library.

When the economic downturn caused many state and municipal budgets to be cut, libraries across the country added the Library Use Value Calculator to their websites, and encouraged patrons to see how much money using the library was saving them. Libraries could then use this interaction to defend their budgets, to ensure they could continue to serve their communities.

At a ceremony last Saturday at The Java Room (who also earned the GCI Seal of Approval), members of the Board of Selectmen presented Kathy Cryan-Hicks, Library Assistant Director of Community Relations & Programs, with the Seal of Approval.

In addition to library-wide efforts to conserve paper, electricity and cut down on overall waste, there have also been a number of environmental- and conservation-oriented programming at the library. These programs have been part of the Clean & Green series, which focuses on how people can reduce their carbon footprint. Speakers have cover topics such as recycling, solar power for homes, green investing, composting, and more.

These efforts are also contributing to the Chelmsford Library being considered to become the town’s first public building outfitted with solar energy panels (as reported recently in the Chelmsford Independent).